Brazil’s Petrobras Leverages 3DCRIAR’s Multi-Location Outsourcing Model to Advance 3D Printing in Oil and Gas

Key Takeaways

• Outsourced labs operate in five Brazilian coastal hubs
• Digital inventory enables on‑demand part printing offshore
• Certified polymer component under DNV review
• Faster repairs cut multi‑million‑dollar production losses
• Model supports supply‑chain autonomy amid geopolitical risk

Summary

Petrobras has deepened its additive‑manufacturing strategy by partnering with 3DCRIAR to run fully outsourced polymer 3D‑printing labs at its CENPES research center and across five coastal hubs. The labs create a digital inventory of validated part designs that can be printed on‑demand on offshore platforms, cutting lead times and reducing reliance on distant suppliers. A polymer component is currently undergoing DNV certification, marking the first critical‑use certified part for the company. The initiative reframes 3D printing as a resilience tool rather than a cost‑saving exercise.

Pulse Analysis

Petrobras’ partnership with 3DCRIAR marks a decisive shift from internal prototyping to a fully outsourced additive‑manufacturing ecosystem. LABi3D, housed at the CENPES research center, is staffed entirely by 3DCRIAR technicians who handle design, machine operation, and performance tracking. By concentrating on polymer‑based printing and integrating Siemens‑powered design tools, the lab serves as a hub for creating digital inventories that can be accessed across the company’s vast offshore footprint.

The operational payoff is immediate. Validated part files are stored in a centralized digital library, allowing any of the five regional labs—or even printers mounted on platforms—to produce components on‑demand. This reduces the traditional months‑long lead time for spare‑part logistics to a matter of hours, directly protecting revenue streams; a single day of platform downtime can cost Petrobras millions. The first polymer component under DNV certification illustrates that even critical‑function parts are moving from experimental to production status, reinforcing the focus on equipment availability over unit cost.

Strategically, the distributed 3D‑printing network insulates Petrobras from supply‑chain disruptions tied to geopolitical tensions and volatile trade routes. By localising production, the company lessens exposure to foreign supplier risk while gaining a rapid response capability for unexpected failures. The approach also aligns with R&D tax‑credit incentives, as design, testing, and integration activities qualify for fiscal benefits. For peers in the energy sector, Petrobras offers a replicable blueprint: outsource specialized manufacturing, build digital inventories, and leverage on‑site printing to secure operational continuity in an increasingly uncertain global landscape.